[1]Kenya’s Stanley Biwott is finding the French capital to be extremely hospitable. Last month, he was the winner of the Paris Half-Marathon and on Sunday, he returned and set a new Paris Marathon record of 2:05:11. The women’s course record was also shattered as Ethiopia’s Tirfi Beyene triumphed in 2:21:39.The performances were stellar despite swirling winds that were often in the runners’ faces. In fact, the men’s lead pack, which included Eric Nidiema and Richard Limo of Kenya and Ethiopians Eshetu Wendimu, Tariku Jefar, and Debebe Tolossa, reached the marathon’s midway point in 1:01:51. Biwott made his decisive move after 28 kilometers. He slowed somewhat on a final uphill stretch toward the finish, but the victory and course record were still his."I realized early in the race that the pace was very fast," he commented. "Then I told myself that if I can maintain that speed I can win the race, because nobody would be able to follow me." Raji Assefa finished second in 2:06:23 and his fellow Ethiopian Sisay Jisa, in his marathon debut, was third in 2:06:26.Beyene came into the women’s race with the fastest personal best, a 2:22:44. An acceleration in the 25th kilometer left her alone in front. She was ahead of course record pace by 30K. Ethiopia’s women’s contingent is so deep and talented, however, that Beyene’s 2:21:39 might not get her an Olympic berth. Nevertheless, she was over three minutes ahead at the finish Runnerup Sultan Haydar set a Turkish national record of 2:25:07. More[2]